Tag Archives: give away

Inspiring Book & Give Away! Quick Crochet for the Home

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I do not often do reviews. This has been a personal issue for me, as I don’t want to feel like I am just “hocking” items and adding an endorsement to everything in the hopes of gaining more followers or the like. I want to actually mean what I say and have those that read my work realize that I am taking caution in sharing my views. I know I could share negative thoughts in a review, but really I would prefer if I couldn’t say something nice, that I not say anything at all. So I am selective.

When I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing the first book written by Tamara Kelly, aka Mooglyblog.com, I was flattered, but a bit apprehensive. I consider Tamara a friend, so it doubly feels like I cannot say anything negative, especially about her first book. Fortunately, after reading through it I can easily stay to my “moral high ground” of endorsements, as the book is really very nice and well done.

The book, Quick Crochet for Home, honestly would not have been the first book I would have considered for my bookshelf. This is because I have done so many home décor projects over the years that I thought I couldn’t find any that would inspire me anymore, I was wrong. Tamara applies some techniques in ways that I had not considered before and helped me to look at home décor with fresh eyes.

When checking out the Around the Table Trivet I was surprised that there was no cording listed in the materials, as looking at the photo images it appeared that the rounds were well padded, then I noticed that there was not spiral effect of the rounds. The genius of the pattern has one round worked over the adjacent round! So there is not obvious join, and it creates its own padding…genius! It is one of those, why didn’t I think of that moments.

Then her Chevron Cuddles Blanket takes the challenge of the increase and decrease stitches out of the famous crochet design of zig zags, and worked the design side to side carrying different colors instead of working each color as a separate row. This has some definite benefits, such as being easier of newer crocheters, and allowing you to really envision how the colors come together well before you have finished the project. You only have to know how to double crochet, and change colors…it is that simple, yet looks much more challenging.

I also found that the book was well presented, layout well, offered well written patterns and charts. Another bonus, it has photography that actually helped you understand the project, not just look really pretty.

I found inspiration in several of the other designs as well, but I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed going through this book. There is a little something for everyone, there are patterns that you will easily work over and over again, as well as others that might only wait for the perfect moment. Tamara shares several different original ideas in her approach to her designs, and I am sure that you will find something that you will create.

As an added bonus, I have the opportunity to GIVE AWAY a FREE copy of Quick Crochet for the Home by Tamara Kelly, to one lucky reader! Simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is to crochet…whether it be home décor or something else, by midnight Friday, September 1, 2017. The following day one comment will be selected at random to choose the winner.

 

Love & Leche Give Away!

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ScannedImageI have tended to notice in recent years, just how much my hands dry out over the course of a day. Granted it may not actually be anything new, but having your hands in yarn all day and dry skin can become a little obvious.

To begin with those fuzzy yarns, like mohair and the like, tend to find areas to snag upon. There is something a little telling about moving your hand and having your yarn follow you when you were not expecting it to. DSCF1109

At a recent trade show I had an opportunity to check out a lovely lotion bar, Love & Leche (formerly as Milk & Honey). Now I will admit, lotion in a bar is not something that I grew up with. I am completely use to lotion in a tube, lotion in a pump, bars that was for soap. However the combination of placing lotion in a bar provides something unique. With traditional lotions I am always attempting to find one that does not feel greasy, that absorbed quickly, and actually felt like it was doing something. This is a tall order, but as a bar this lotion seems to do everything.

The lotion comes in a nice little tin, and comes in a wide selection of scents that offer aromas from soothing to refreshing. The primary ingredient is beeswax, followed with coconut oil, almond oil and essential oils. These elements of nature come together to make a very nice, soothing, product that I recommend for soft feeling skin.

I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity for one lucky individual to try it for themselves. I have a Limited Edition Citrus-Rose Valentine’s Lotion Bar, with a generous size of 2.5oz, a heart emblem, in a tin. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post about some of your favorite things to use on your skin by midnight PST on February 9, 2016. One comment will be chosen at random the following day.

Check out Love & Leche for yourself, they are offering the Limited Edition Valentine’s Bar until the end of February, so you might find something for that special someone.

 

 

A Knitters Give Away!

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ScannedImageYes, knitting. It is not my forte, however I do have some knitting items to share with you from the Marly Bird Designer Dinner, as this dinner is for all kinds of fiber designers not just crocheters. (If you want to read about my relationship to knitting, I share it here.)

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Clover and Knitter’s Pride needles, Purrfectly Catchy Designs stitch markers, Red Heart and Brown Sheep Yarns.

Since I am not a knitter I am not able to give a thorough review of the needles, but I can pass along what others have told me. First I have heard nothing but good things about the Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina FC 24” circular needles (US 5/3.75mm, 24”/60cm). I have heard that they are smooth to use and that the joins at almost seamless. I know that this helps them move the loops along well and helps speed up your knitting. Others have commented that the tips are sharp, I know that this helps you pick up the new loops. So overall I have sounds like these are worth checking out.

The Bamboo Needles from Clover are another that I have heard good things about. The needles are US8/5mm, 9”/23cm, and feel great in the hand (or so I have been told). I also understand that they give very consistent work and that many find them reliable.

I will admit that stitch markers are something that I know almost less about then needles. Don’t get me wrong, when I crochet I occasionally use stitch markers, usually working in the round and marking the beginning of the round. But to be honest, I usually just use a safety pin of a string of yarn. In crochet we have to make sure that the stitch markers are removable or instead they become beads. However almost every knitter I know has a wide assortment of styles of stitch markers, some are just basic rings, but others are almost like jewelry. The Purrfectly Catchy Designs by Chappy are stitch markers that qualify as the latter. Beautiful beads adorn twists of colored metal wire to create a marker that I could imagine as earrings.

Now at least yarn I have a little knowledge about. Red Heart shared a skein of Sparkle Soft in the goody bag from the dinner, and I must say if feels nice in the hand. The metallic thread twisted in it is not evenly plied, meaning that it is not evenly spaced in its appearance on this medium weight yarn, creating a more random and natural spacing for the shine. I could easily see this worked up as a nice accessory; a hat, a scarf, maybe even gloves.

Brown Sheep Company is another yarn company with the lasting of longevity, and they are sharing a skein of Lambs Pride Super Wash Sport. This light weight 100% wool yarn has an even hand, and is definitely a go-to yarn for consistency and reliability. I can easily see this yarn worked up as a sweater, gloves, and maybe even some home accessories.

I would love to know your thoughts on knitting needles and yarn (yes, even learning more about knitting, I believe will help my crocheting, even if it is not a skill I have mastered).

If you would like to enjoy these 5 items yourself, please leave a comment about your knitting thoughts on this post by the end Wednesday, July 21, 2015. One lucky comment will be chosen at random the following day, and announced via my Facebook page and Twitter.

More Mid Year Gifts! Unique Yarns

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ScannedImageSo, as my last post discusses, I went to the TNNA Summer Trade show in Columbus a few weeks ago, and received an awesome gift back from the Marly Bird Designer Dinner that I want to share with you.

Today I am giving away an assortment of yarns, not just any yarns but yarns have some unique personalities, such as Mango Moon Yarns Chakra. This yarn is made with some recycled materials while still being hand spun and proceeds help families in Nepal and Indonesia. But the most intriguing thing about this yarn is the pre-strung beads. I can admit, that the pre-strung beads are little intimidating for me, but after a little playing with the yarn I can state that it is really fun and easy to use. I would recommend rolling this hank into a standard ball and not use a ball winder to create a center pull, as the beads might get hung up and make a mess. I also found that for me the majority of the beads work themselves to the back of my work, so working in the round creates a wrong side fabric that is bursting with beads, while working back and forth rows creates a fabric that is a little more balanced with beads on either side.

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A give away of unique yarns! Red Heart reflective, Mango Moon Chakra, Mode Knit Yarns Mode Werk FLOW, Knitcircus Yarns Greatest of Ease, Miss Babs Samples & Dragonfly Fibers Pixie sample

The Mode Knit Yarn, Mode Werk FLOW is a fun gradient yarn; super soft and fingering weight. It is a fun long color change that has subtle blending so it is fun to create projects that really highlights your stitches while not leaving things feeling monotone.

There was also a second gradient yarn by Knitcircus Yarns. Greatest of Ease is also really soft and has a fun color change as well. I can really imagine projects that are either worked from the center out (like a hat or motif, so that the edges are a different color then the beginning) or a piece like a scarf of a shawl, that allows the top and bottom of the piece to be a different color.

Then Red Heart Reflective yarn makes an interesting statement. What makes this yarn so different is that it as a strand of reflective material twisted in the yarn. This does not make a really noticeable difference in the day light; it is just a nice steady color durable yarn. But when it gets dark, shine a light on it and the strand reflects back the light and almost looks like it is glowing. I know that projects for anyone that might go jogging or riding bicycles at dusk or dawn could benefit possibly with safety as vehicles should be able to see them better, as well as kids during the Halloween holiday.

Then the gift bag had fun little “taste samples” for Miss Babs yarn, a small sample of Kaweah (a DK weight), Hot Shot & Sojour (both fingering weight). These are great for getting to make a swatch or small motif, and see how you like the yarn, like a little test. I can tell you that they all have different properties but are all beautiful.

Dragonfly Fibers also provided a “taste skein” of Pixie ( a light weight yarn) that leads to an understanding of the yarn works up and gets your imagination inspired.

These yarns all have something different to offer, and I will be sharing a set of these yarns with one lucky individual. To enter, just leave a comment on this page about what unique yarns you may have used in the past, or look forward to trying in the future. One comment will be selected at random from all comment posted on or before Thursday July, 16, 2015. I will announce the winner via my Facebook page and Twitter the following day.

Mid Year Gifts! An Accessory Give Away!

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ScannedImageA few weeks back I attended the TNNA (The National Needle Arts Association) Summer Trade Show, in Columbus, Ohio.

It is always a whirlwind to see all the new yarns and products, catch up with friends, make new connections and attempt to find business opportunities. There are 2 trade shows a year, the Winter show, and the Summer show; this was my first attendance at the Summer show, and only my second time in attendance at any actual trade show.

At the show, I was fortunate to be invited to attend the “Marly Bird Designer Dinner”. Marly Bird is a well know podcaster, talented designer, industry leader, as well as a very kind and generous person. She has organized a dinner event outside of the TNNA framework that brings designers together with other parts of the industry; such as yarn companies, product innovators and developers, and publishers, to name a few. I will admit, even if I only attended the Marly Bird Dinner, the entire trip would have been worth it. There were so many different people there, and it helped bring into focus a larger picture of the industry. Often in designing or teaching, it is easy to forget just how large and diverse the industry in which I work is.

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Items in a Give Away! Susan Bates Mini Knit Klips, Eucalan Wrapture, Chic-a Gadget Tray, Bar-Maid Lo-Lo Lov Lotion bar, & an Erin Land project bag

One of the craziest things from this dinner is the gift bag. I came home with enough yarns to sample and accessories to play with, that I have enough to share! So I have a small give away today, and more to follow in following posts.

Today, I want to share with you some fun accessories that I have played with. First there is a small Erin Lane Bag. It is perfect for holding a small project, about 1 ball. It has a draw string closure, but one of the things I really like is the snap loop, that allows be to thread the loop through anything (I usually find my pants belt loop), and snap it shut. It stays right where you put it, but will still let the yarn feed. It is really practical, and fun with the brilliant fabric choices. Now a little secret….I may have shared this is posts past, but I have never really used projects bags, my traveling work has endured plastic grocery bags for the most part, so this is a really change for me. Not only do I look a little more put together, my yarn does not roll around and become a tangled mess. I do enjoy this bag.

Another fun item is a Gadget Tray from Chic-a. This little tray is genius. It completely folds flat (which I was so grateful for on my flight home, as I had so much to bring home) and has snaps in the corners to bring up the edges and is durable. This is easily a life saver on the table that sits next to my “crochet spot”. Usually that little table gets covered with everything; notes, safety pins, stitch markers, yarn needles, tape measures. Of course they always hid under the TV remotes, the mail I just opened or the yarn that I had an idea for, so when I need them they can become difficult to find, but this tray is helping.

I am also enjoying a bottle of Eucalna Wrapture. It is a no rinse wash, which smells lovely. I know many people that insist on blocking their projects in the solution, as it is gentle on the yarn, and leaves everything so fresh and clean. It also works well with lingerie and baby cloths.

I must say that the Lo-Lo Lov lotion bar from Bar-Maids was another great surprise. It definitely softens the hands, and makes a long day of stitching feel great, while having a greatly nice scent. This is one that I will definitely be ordering more of, as I find it can be quite addicting.

The last accessory I will discuss today is the Mini Knit Klips by Susan Bates. They look like little hair clips, but instead of one “tooth” that fits into a hole on the opposite side. Easily used as a stitch marker, or to hold pieces together when seaming. Little handy things, that I am sure will endear themselves to me in other ways the longer I work with them.

Now, these 5 little must haves can be yours too. I will give away a set of all 5 items to 1 lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment, tell me what accessory or accessories you enjoy best, even it is like the long time side of me, and it is a plastic grocery bag. A winner will be chosen at random from all comments left on or before July 12, 2015, and will be announced via my Facebook page and Twitter the following day.